Abstract: A connection system for providing a construction joint between a first concrete component and a second concrete component, the connection system including a rebate former for forming a rebate in a first concrete component, wherein the rebate former is formed of sheet metal, the rebate former including an elongated backing, the elongated backing having folded edges to a predefined depth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing short arc welding-type power is disclosed. The system includes a power supply, a wire feeder, and a controller. The output current is decreased at dive rate when the arc forms. The dive rate is maintained until the currents drops to a threshold, preferably a function of the peak short current in that cycle. Then the current is held steady for a length of time that is a percentage of the short time for that cycle. Then the current is decreased at the normal rate until the short reforms, and the current begins increasing at the normal rate. The holding steady portion can be omitted.

Abstract: A formwork panel for forming adjacent concrete bodies, wherein the formwork panel is adapted to be compressible on expansion of the concrete bodies. The formwork panel may be substantially planar to be in a plane substantially perpendicular to a travel surface formed by upper surfaces of the concrete bodies. The formwork panel may be extruded and may have at least one internal void to facilitate sacrificial compression of the formwork panel on expansion of the concrete bodies.

Abstract: A fastener-driving tool has a housing including a combustion chamber, where the combustion chamber generates combustion for driving a fastener, and a processor associated with the housing and in communication with the combustion chamber. The processor is configured to cause an initial combustion in the combustion chamber and cause a fastener to be driven when a first actuation event and a second actuation event occur, and is configured to cause at least one subsequent combustion in the combustion chamber and cause at least one additional fastener to be driven when only the first actuation event occurs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating an object, in particular, for disinfecting and/or drying objects and/or surfaces are provided. One or more of an air delivery system, an electromagnetic emitter (e.g., a Far ultraviolet (UV) light source), and/or an air treatment device (e.g., a gaseous hydrogen-peroxide generator) may be used to condition ambient air to treat a surface or container for use (e.g., prior to filling the container, applying a surfactant, etc.). An ionizer may be employed with one or more of the emitter or air treatment device to additionally remove static from air within or provided to a treatment area.

Abstract: 4-Hydroxyphenyl-2H-indazol-5-ol compounds are estrogen receptor beta ligands that have immunomodulatory properties and increase oligodendrocyte survival, differentiation, and remyelination. The compounds, compositions, and kits are useful in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and endometriosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a fastener-driving tool that includes a battery-charged supercapacitor as a power source. The fastener-driving tool includes first and second spaced-apart, conductive rails and a partially conductive piston slidably mounted on the rails. The rails and the piston are electrically connected to one another. The supercapacitor is electrically connected to the first rail. When the supercapacitor discharges electrical current, the electrical current flows from the supercapacitor, into the first rail, through the piston into the second rail, and from the second rail. The electrical current induces magnetic fields in the rails and the piston, and the combination of the electrical current and the magnetic fields induce a Lorentz force that acts on the piston to move the piston toward a nosepiece to drive a fastener.

Abstract: A vehicle exterior surface cleaning composition includes at least one benzenediol A surfactant and a thioglycolate are also present in an aqueous diluent. A method of cleaning a vehicle exterior surface is also provide that includes the composition being applied to a vehicle exterior surface. After sufficient contact time, the composition loosens iron containing debris before removing the composition to clean the surface. The composition changes color upon contact with the iron containing debris to provide a visual signal of contamination. The composition removes iron containing debris with limited odor of hydrogen sulfide or ammonia.

Abstract: A zipper assembly for a reclosable enclosure includes a first profile having a first elongated supporting element and first protruding intermeshing elements. The zipper assembly also may include a second profile having a second elongated supporting element and one or more second intermeshing elements protruding from the second elongated supporting element. The one or more first intermeshing elements may releasably interlock with the one or more second intermeshing elements to close the enclosure. Each of the first elongated supporting element and the second elongated supporting element may include a thicker portion and a thinner portion. The thicker portions of the first elongated supporting element and the second elongated supporting element may be coupled with one or more panels of the enclosure. The thicker portions of the first elongated supporting element and the second elongated supporting element may be disposed on a consumer side of the enclosure.

Abstract: Patches configured to hold an oncogenic cargo and deliver the cargo in a controlled manner to a predetermined location of a specified tissue are disclosed. As one example, a patch can comprise a base layer configured to adhere to a predetermined location of a tissue and a hydrogel layer. The hydrogel layer can comprise a plurality of microchannels that are configured to store and release a gene-modifying vector over a time period and in a quantity sufficient to produce a somatic cell tumor through manipulation of the genome of somatic cells at the predetermined location.

Abstract: A door lock assembly, including a cam, a slider and a pin assembly. The cam can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise about a camshaft, and the slider fits and engages with the cam, so when the cam rotates, the slider reciprocates in the length direction of the slider with the rotation. The slider is provided with a movement guide groove which defines a conventional movement path including a first and second segment of the conventional movement path. An end of the pin assembly can move relative to the slider in the conventional movement path with the reciprocation of the slider. The movement guide groove further defines an alternative movement path, and the end of the pin assembly can move relative to the slider in the first segment of the conventional movement path and the alternative movement path defined by the movement guide groove with the reciprocation of the slider, but does not move in the second segment of the conventional movement path.

Abstract: An air vent for a vehicle includes a housing having an air inlet region and an opposite air outlet region, an air stream splitter received at least regionally in the housing in such a way that, at least in the air outlet region of the housing, an air duct that is delimited or defined by the housing is split into a first air duct and a second air duct separated therefrom. For air deflection as needed in a vertical direction, the air vent has at least two air guiding elements, which are received in the first air duct and are opposite to one another and are pivotable about a common first axis of rotation, and including at least two air guiding elements, which are received in the second air duct and are at least regionally opposite to one another and are pivotable about a common second axis of rotation.

Abstract: Provided herein are manipulators for handling fragile layers and related methods of handling using the manipulators. The manipulators comprise a contact surface with thermally responsive recess features and a microelectric heater in thermal contact with the contact surface. In this manner, the manipulator is an electrothermal manipulator, with changes in temperature providing a contact force to pick-up a transferable layer material and a release force to facilitate release of the transferable from the manipulator.

Abstract: A composition is provided that includes a graphene dispersion, a silicone microemulsion, a reactive siloxane emulsion, and water as a majority by weight of the composition. A process for imparting a durable shine to a vehicle surface is also provided. The composition is applied to the vehicle surface. The water is allowed to evaporate from the composition to form a coating imparting a durable shine to the vehicle surface. A coating is obtained after evaporation. The coating includes a silicone film formed by the evaporation of water from a silicone microemulsion and the cross-linking of a siloxane from an emulsion. Graphene particles are embedded in the silicone film. The coating has a thickness of between having a thickness of between 5 and 10,000 nanometers and a hardness of between 3 and 7 GPa.

Abstract: A thermal blocking sheet for reducing the spread of fire or heat, the thermal blocking sheet comprising a first layer and a second layer of expandable graphite. If the thermal blocking sheet is exposed to heat exceeding a threshold temperature the expandable graphite is configured to expand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling arc/short between a wire and a work piece is described. A current path parallel to the wire/work is provided. The voltage drop across the parallel path can be preset, to limit the wire/work voltage, or it can be controlled to a desired level. The control can be in response to feedback.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a re-writable DNA-based digital storage system with a random access feature. An example embodiment includes reading a physical nucleotide sequence of 2n+L bases to form a digital representation of the physical nucleotide sequence; dividing the digital representation of the physical nucleotide sequence into an address representation of n bases, followed by a data representation of L bases, followed by a further address representation of n bases; decoding the data representation into an integer value less than 3L that is a sum of a first addend and a second addend, wherein the data representation includes a first subsequence of bases encoding the first addend followed by a second subsequence of bases encoding the second addend; and storing, in a computer memory, the integer value.

Abstract: A sample preparation saw has a base, a housing, a saw assembly mounted to the base, a dressing assembly, a sample clamping assembly mounted to the base, and a reservoir assembly. The saw assembly includes a blade assembly with a rotating blade. The blade assembly is movable along x-, y- and z-axes by at least two drives. The dressing assembly is operable to dress the rotating blade. The sample clamping assembly includes a rail, a sample mount removably positioned on the rail and a saddle operable to hold a sample. The reservoir assembly is operable to recirculate a rinse fluid sprayed on the rotating blade, and includes a basin having a pump and a series of weirs.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for applying fluids onto a substrate, the nozzle arrangement comprising a spray nozzle having a nozzle body extending in a longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle and a first fluid channel coaxially extending to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body for the fluids to be applied onto the substrate. The spray nozzle also includes a nozzle housing in which the nozzle body is received. Second fluid channels are in regions between a lateral surface and an inner surface of the nozzle body for shaping air. The second fluid channels extend over their entire length in the longitudinal direction parallel to the first fluid channel and, at an end-side nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle, are open into a tapered or conical gap that tapers towards a nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are instruments and related methods for measuring oxidative potential (OP) in airborne particulates, particularly PM2.5. The instrument is formed from three main components: a sample injector, a sample incubator and a measurement system. The instrument provides an automatic measure of five OP endpoints in a relatively rapid time frame of less than 3 hours. In this manner, additional parameters beyond the gross particle concentration or mass per unit volume is obtained, including the biologically-relevant OP associated with PM2.5.